Buckle assembly for adjusting straps for headgear

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a buckle assembly suitable for headgear such as swimming goggles of a type provided in combination with an elastic strap having a set of equally spaced teeth, projections, transverse ridges, arranged along the strap at least on the end portions of the strap, which enables easy adjustment of the length of the elastic strap. The disclosure also relates to a swimming goggle having such a buckle assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to buckle assemblies for headgear adjustmentstraps, and in particular, to buckle assemblies for adjusting elasticstraps for swimming goggles.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Currently available buckle assemblies for swimming goggles generallyinclude a strap length-adjusting piece 17 which is formed on either,outer side portions of a lens frame 18 as shown in FIG. 1. Such straplength-adjusting piece 17 has at least two elongated openings throughwhich ends of strap 15 pass. These through openings are disposed in aside-by-side relationship as shown in FIG. 2. Strap 15 is wrapped arounda wall portion 17 a between the two through openings. In order to enablestrap 15 to be easily removed from the strap length-adjusting piece 17to adjust length, the center portion of an outermost wall portion 17 bis partially cut-out. Strap 15 is disposed in the strap length-adjustingpiece 17 by passing a free end 15 a of strap 15 through one of theopenings which is adjacent to the lens part from the rear side of thepiece, and then passing the same free end of the strap through theoutermost opening.

A swimming goggle generally includes a lens assembly 13 having two lensframes 18 each having a lens part 11 fixed therein, with a nose bridge14 connecting the inner sides of the lens frames. Head strap 15 connectsthe outer sides of the lens assembly 13. Each of the lens parts 11generally has a silicon packing 12 provided on the wearer facing sidethereof. Silicon packing 12 has a face engaging surface which is adaptedto comfortably engage the wearer's face and compliantly follow thecontour of the wearer's face due to its compressibility.

Accordingly, the wearer adjusts the length of the elastic strap bypulling one end 15 a of the elastic strap 15 which is wrapped aroundstrap-supporting portion 17 a of the strap length adjusting piece 17,usually before wearing the swimming goggle. Once worn, silicon packing12 seals to the skin of the face so that water does not leak into theinterior of each lens part. If the elastic strap is too tightlyadjusted, silicon packing 12 presses excessively around the eyes, whichmay result in pain in the skin around the eyes. If elastic strap 15 istoo loosely adjusted, water may leak into lens part 11 past the siliconpacking 12. For these reasons, adjustments to the length of the elasticstrap 15 is required before a swimming goggle is put on to applyadequate pressure to the face.

In swimming goggles having the above-described buckle assembly, a wearercannot adjust the length of the elastic strap 15 while wearing theswimming goggle on his head. The wearer must take off the swimminggoggle from his head to adjust the length of the elastic strap. Thisadjusting operation is often repeated several times which may beextremely inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to overcome such problems withprior art buckle assemblies, and to provide a buckle assembly whichmakes tightening and loosening operations simpler, quicker and moreconvenient with a simple arrangement such that the operations may beaccomplished with only one hand and ensures the highest functionalreliability of the buckle assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a swimming goggleprovided with such a buckle assembly which enables the wearer to performthe tightening and loosening operations while wearing the swimminggoggle on his head.

The invention achieves the above objects by providing a buckle assemblyfor releasably fixing a strap and having a plurality of width-wiseridges, comprising a buckle body further comprising a strap-supportingportion around which the strap is wrapped; a slider, slidable between afirst position and a second position with respect to thestrap-supporting portion; the slider further comprising a strap-pressingpiece which presses down the strap against the strap-supporting portionin its first position; and wherein, when the strap is pulled, one of theridges engages with the strap-pressing piece to move the slider to thesecond position and, when the strap is released, another one of theridges is engaged with the strap-pressing piece to move the slider tothe first position.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed descriptions of the various embodimentstaken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art swimming goggle having aconventional strap length-adjusting piece.

FIG. 2 shows the prior art swimming goggle of FIG. 1 with its strapdisengaged from the strap length adjusting piece.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the swimming goggle provided with abuckle assembly according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the different components ofthe swimming goggle shown in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are elevated side views of a portion of the presentswimming goggle for illustrating the operations of the buckle assemblyaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5illustrates the fixed state of the buckle assembly after the length ofthe elastic strap has been adjusted, and FIG. 6 illustrates the releasedstate allowing the adjustment of the length of the strap.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII—VII in FIG. 5,depicting the slider in its first position.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII—VIII in FIG. 6,depicting the slider in its second position.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the relative movements of the slider with respect tothe buckle body of the buckle assembly of the first embodiment. FIG. 9shows the first position of the slider, and FIG. 10 shows the secondposition of the slider.

FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C are side, plan and bottom views, respectively, ofthe buckle body of the buckle assembly.

FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C are side, plan and bottom views, respectively, ofthe slider of the buckle assembly.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a lens frame of the buckle assemblyaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a swimming goggle having a buckleassembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the different components ofthe swimming goggle shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a swimming goggle having a buckleassembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the different components ofthe swimming goggle shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a swimming goggle having a buckleassembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the different components ofthe swimming goggle shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a swimming goggle having a buckleassembly according toga fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the different components ofthe swimming goggle shown in FIG. 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings. The buckle assembly is describedwith particular reference to embodiments which are applied to swimminggoggles. However, it should be understood that the buckle assembly ofthe present invention can also be used in combination with any strapwhich has to be repeatedly tightened and loosened for adjusting itslength.

The term “longitudinal” referred to herein is used to indicate thecircumferential direction of a fully assembled swimming goggle as shownin FIG. 3. The term “transverse” referred to herein is used to indicatethe direction perpendicular to the “longitudinal” direction.

First Embodiment

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate perspective and exploded views of a swimminggoggle having a buckle assembly 100 of the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

The swimming goggle comprises a lens assembly 113 comprised of a pair oflens parts 111 and a pair of lens frames 118 each combining a lens part111 therein. and an elastic strap 115 for holding the swimming goggle ona person's head.

According to this embodiment, the buckle assembly 100 is detachablyattached on each outer side portion of the lens assembly 113 to connectthe lens assembly 113 and the elastic strap 115. In order to fasten thebuckle assembly 100 on the outer side portion of the lens assembly 113as shown in FIG. 4, fastening means such as spaced apart projections 118a are provided on each outer side portion of the lens parts 111. Betweenthese projections 118 a are press fitted spaced ribs 118 b (FIG. 13)integrally formed on the bottom side of the lens frame 118, which willbe further described hereinbelow. In this manner, the slider 117 can bemaintained in a slidable relationship with respect to the buckle body119 between the outer side portion of a lens part 111 and a lens frame118.

The buckle assembly 100 of this embodiment comprises a buckle body 119including a strap-supporting portion 119 a around which a strap 115 iswrapped, and a slider 117 which is slidable between a first position anda second position with respect to the strap-supporting portion 119 a andwhich also has a strap-pressing piece 117 b (FIG. 12C) integrally formedon its bottom side for pressing down strap 115 against thestrap-supporting portion 119 a when the slider 117 is in its firstposition. The lens frame 118 is fastened on the outer side portion ofthe lens assembly 113 by means of the spaced ribs 118 b so as to preventthe buckle body 119 and the slider 117 from being removed from the lensassembly 113.

The buckle body 119, the slider 117 and the lens frame 118 adapted forthe buckle assembly 100 of this embodiment will next be described ingreater detail.

Referring to FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C, side, plan and bottom views of thebuckle body 119 according to this embodiment are shown. As shown in FIG.11B, the buckle body 119 is comprised of a generally rectangular flatplate member having an elongated first guide rail 119 b which extendslongitudinally along a center line of the plate member and projectsoutwardly therefrom, and a pair of second guide sections 119 i extendingparallel to and on both sides of the first guide rail 119 b. On one sideend of the buckle body 119, a rectangular opening 119 c is provided todefine the strap-supporting portion 119 a. The outwardly directed latchhook 119 d is provided at the distal end of the first guide rail 119 bfor interengagement with the lens frame 118. Intermediate of the firstguide rail 119 d, a raised boss 119 e is provided. The raised boss 119 ehas an angled or chamfered surface 119 f on the side facing the latchhook 119 d. A pair of first stoppers 119 h are protruded from theoutside corner at one end of each second guide section 119 i. The pairof first stoppers 119 h define the slider's first position. At thecorner of the other end of each second guide section 119 i, a pair ofsecond stoppers 119 g are formed opposite to the pair of first stoppers119 h. The pair of second stoppers 119 g define the slider's secondposition. An upper surface of the body between the first stoppers 119 hand the second stoppers 119 g defines a sliding surface over which theslider described hereinafter slides.

Referring to FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C, side, plan and bottom views of theslider 117 which slides on the above-described buckle body 119, areshown. Referring to FIG. 12C illustrating the bottom side of the slider117, the slider 117 comprises a pair of first sliding elements 117 asliding on the second guide sections 119 i between the first position(FIG. 9) in which the sliding elements 117 a abut against the pair offirst stoppers 119 h, and the second position (FIG. 10) in which thesliding elements 117 a abut against the pair of second stoppers 119 gwith the first guide rail 119 b guiding the sliding motion of the slider117. The slider 117 also comprises a center second sliding element 117 csliding along the first guide rail 119 b of the buckle body 119. Anarched common portion 117 d interconnects the pair of first slidingelements 117 a and the second sliding element 117 c. When the slider 117is slidably located on the buckle body 119, the first sliding elements117 a of the slider 117, slide on the second guiding sections 119 ibetween the pair of first and second stoppers. From the bottom side of aslider 117, an integrally formed strap-pressing piece 117 b extendsdownwardly at a position facing the strap-supporting portion 119 a whenthe slider 117 is positioned in the first position with respect to thebuckle body 119.

Referring to FIG. 12A, it is shown that the arched common portion 117 dinterconnects outer ends of the pair of first sliding elements 117 a anda second sliding element 117 c. As shown in FIG. 5, the arched portion117 d is shaped to mate with the lens frame 118 in a fully assembledbuckle assembly. When the lens frame 118 is positioned onto the slider117, the outer surface of a lens frame 118 forms a smooth curved surfacetogether with that of the arched common portion 117 d, thereby providinga simple and functional design, which is preferable for a swimminggoggle. Additionally, a triangular projection 117 e may be provided onthe outer surface of the common portion 117 d which may be engaged by afinger of a user. This triangular projection 117 e may enhance frictionbetween the outer surface of the common portion 117 d and the finger ofthe user, and thus, may assist in sliding the slider 117.

In the first position, the sliding elements 117 a abut against the pairof first stoppers 119 h (FIG. 9). In the second position, the slidingelements 117 a abut against the pair of second stoppers 119 g (FIG. 10).

In the first position shown in FIG. 9, the strap-pressing piece 117 bintegrally formed on the bottom side of the slider 117 is positionedopposite to the strap-supporting portion 119 a with a distance to pressmore than a half width of the strap 115. In this position, the strap 115wrapped around the strap-supporting portion 119 a is pressed against thestrap-supporting portion 119 a by the strap-pressing piece 117 b asshown in FIG. 7. In addition, when the length of the strap 115 isloosened, the slider 117 can be moved to slide to a second position asshown in FIG. 10. In this position, the clearance between thestrap-pressing piece 117 b and the strap-supporting portion 119 abecomes larger, thus the strap 115 can move more easily therebetween.

In the following, the details of the lens frame 118 will be described.The lens frame 118 is fastened in the above-described spaced apartprojections 118 a provided on the outer side portion of the lens part111 with the buckle body 119 and the slider 117 interposed therebetween.On the bottom side of the outer side portion of the lens frame 118, amounting piece for press-fitting between the projections 118 a isprovided as shown in FIG. 13. The mounting piece is shaped as spacedribs 118 b so as to be relatively flexible to the more rigid projections118 a. A groove 118 c in which the second sliding element 117 c engageswhen a slider 117 slides over a buckle body 119 in a fully assembledstate, extends longitudinally on the bottom side of the outer sideportion of the lens frame 118. In addition, a recess 18 d is formed inthe groove 118 c at a position where the raised boss 119 e provided onthe center rail 119 b is located. A mating portion 118f which engagesthe latch hook 119 d in a mechanical interlocking engagement is formedbetween the spaced ribs 118 b.

On both ends of the elastic strap 115, a plurality of transverse ridges115 a are equally spaced on the surface opposing the strap-pressingpiece 117 b. When at least one end of the elastic strap 115 is pulled ina tightening direction, one of the ridges on the stretching strapengages the strap-pressing piece on the bottom side of the slider andmoves the slider to its second position. When the strap is released, thestrap contracts and simultaneously one of the other ridges pushes thestrap-pressing piece 117 b to move the slider 117 to its first position.These ridges 115 a have a height sufficient to be engaged by thestrap-pressing piece. While the strap-pressing piece 117 b moves byengagement with one of the ridges 115 a on the contracting strap 115,the slider 117 having the strap-pressing piece 117 b integrally formedon the bottom side thereof slides from its second position to its firstposition. In the first position of the slider, the length of the elasticstrap 115 is fixed since the strap-pressing piece 117 b is pressedagainst the strap-supporting portion 119 a.

Same parts may be used to provide two opposite buckle assemblies, forexample to the right and to the left of the swimming goggle. The partsemployed for each of the buckle assembly are substantially identical toeach other.

When the strap is used to tighten the lens assembly to the head of awearer, for example in a swimming goggle, the strap contacts the headwith its smooth face. Teeth, projections, ridges or the like areprovided only on a predetermined portion at both ends of the strap.

The wearer may perform the tightening and loosening operations whilewearing the swimming goggle of this embodiment on his head, in asimpler, quicker and more convenient way.

Second Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, a swimming goggle having a buckle assembly200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shownin perspective and exploded views, respectively.

As shown in the drawings, two straps 215 and 215′ each of which having aplurality of width-wise ridges 215 a and 215 a′ are coupled to each endof respective lens part 211. Each of the elastic straps 215 and 215′ iswrapped around respective first and second strap-supporting portions 219a and 219 a′ both formed in a single buckle assembly 200. The buckleassembly 200 of this embodiment is separately formed from the lensassembly 213.

The buckle assembly 200 of this embodiment comprises a buckle body 219having the first and a second strap-supporting portions 219 a and 219 a′wrapped around by the first and second straps 215 and 215′,respectively. A first and a second sliders 217 and 217′ are slidablebetween the first position and second position with respect to a firstand a second strap-supporting portions 219 a and 219 a′, respectively.The first and second sliders 217 and 217′ have the first and secondstrap-pressing pieces 217 b and 217 b′ integrally formed on each oftheir bottom side in order to press first and second straps 215 and 215′against the first and second strap-supporting portions 219 a and 219 a′when first and second slider 217 and 217′ are in their first positions,such that straps 215 and 215′ are prevented from being released in theirloosening direction. The buckle assembly 200 further comprises a slidercover 218 which prevents the first and second sliders being disengagedfrom the buckle body 219.

The buckle body 219 is generally a rectangular flat plate member. Twoopenings 219 c and 219 c′ are formed at both ends of the buckle body 219to provide the first and second strap-supporting portions 219 a and 219a′ around which the first and second straps 215 and 215′ are wrapped,respectively. A guide section 219 b extends longitudinally along thecenter of the buckle body 219 between the two openings 219 c and 219 c′.A pair of first stoppers 219 h are formed on both sides at one end ofthe guide section 219 b. These first stoppers 219 h have a height higherthan that of the guide section 219 b. A second stopper 219 g is formedon the other end of the guide section 219 b. The range of the slidingmotion of the first slider 217 is defined between the first stopper pair219 h and the second stopper 219 g.

As shown in FIG. 15, the first slider 217 comprises a longitudinallyextending body 217 a having a surface facing the guide section 219 b ofthe buckle body 219, a first transverse extension 217 c provided on oneend of the body 217 a, and a second transverse extension 217 c′ providedon the other end of the body 217 a. The first transverse extension 217 cabuts against the second stopper 219 g in its first position and againstthe first stopper pair 219 h in its second position. The secondtransverse extension 217 c′ abuts against the first stopper pair 219 hin its first position, and has a height higher than the other portionsof the first slider 217. In addition, the first strap-pressing piece 217b is integrally formed on the bottom side of the first transverseextension 217 c, and the second strap-pressing piece 217 b′ isintegrally formed on the bottom side of the second transverse extension217 c′.

When the first slider 217 slides along the guide section 219 b, the body217 a of the first slider 217 passes between the first stopper pair 219h and slides until it abuts against the second stopper 219 g.

The second slider 217′ is a generally rectangular frame composed of fourframe elements, two longitudinal frame elements and two transverse frameelements. Opposing surfaces of a pair of longitudinal elements 217 a′support both ends of the first transverse extension 217 c of the firstslider 217. One of the transverse frame element has a cut-out portion217 d dimensioned in such a way as to allow the passage of the body 217a of the first slider 217 while preventing the passage of the firsttransverse extension 217 c therethrough. After the first slider 217 ispositioned on the buckle body 219, the second slider 217′ is placed onthe first slider 217 such that the first transverse extension 217 ccannot pass through the cut-out portion 217 d of the second slider 217′while sliding to their second positions.

In addition, the slider cover 218 holds the first and second sliders 217and 217′ in their assembled state with respect to the above-describedbuckle body 219. The slider cover 218 in this embodiment is a tube likeelement having a rectangular cross-section. In one of its four sides, alongitudinal cut-out 218 b extending the entire length is formed. Thislongitudinal cut-out 218 b may be elastically opened apart, for thereceipt of the buckle body 219 and the first and second sliders 217 and217′.

The swimming goggle of this embodiment also enables the wearer totighten and loosen adjustments while wearing the swimming goggle on hishead.

Third Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, a swimming goggle having a buckle assembly300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is shownin a perspective view and an exploded perspective view, respectively.

In this embodiment, a strap-supporting portion 319 a is formed on eachend of a lens part 311, together with two spaced projections 318 a forfastening a lens frame thereto, as shown in FIG. 17.

A pair of parallel guideways 317 c are formed on an outer side portionof the lens frame 318 for guiding the sliding motion of the slider 317between its first and second positions. A slider 317 comprises a pair ofleg portions 317 e slidable along the guideways 317 c with each of legportions inserted therein. A strap-pressing piece 317 b is separatelyformed from the slider 317, and is coupled to the leg portions 317 e ofthe slider 317 inserted into the guideways 317 c. Strap-pressing piece317 b is adapted to press the strap 315 against the strap-supportingportion 319 a when the slider 317 is in its first position.

When the elastic strap 315 is pulled, the strap stretches andsimultaneously one of said ridges 315 a engages with said strap-pressingpiece 317 b to move said slider 317 to said second position, and whenthe elastic strap 315 is released, the strap contracts andsimultaneously another one of the ridges 315 a engages with thestrap-pressing piece 317 b to move the slider 317 to the first position.Thus, strap 315 is automatically fixed in the adjusted length when thestrap 15 is released.

Fourth Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, a swimming goggle having a buckle assembly400 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shownin a perspective view and an exploded perspective view, respectively.

As depicted in the drawings, two straps 415 and 415′ each of which has aplurality of width-wise ridges 415 a and 415 a′ are coupled to each endof respective lens part 411. Each of the elastic straps 415 and 415′ iswrapped around respective first and second strap-supporting portions 419a and 419 a′ both formed in a single buckle assembly 400. The buckleassembly 400 of this embodiment is separately formed from the lensassembly 413.

A swimming goggle of this embodiment comprises a lens assembly 413comprised of a pair of lens parts 411 and a pair of lens frames 418 eachof which is coupled to respective lens part 411. two elastic straps 415and 415′ each of which is coupled to an end of respective lens part 411and has a plurality of width-wise ridges 415 a and 415 a′, and a buckleassembly 400 to which two straps 415 and 415′ are connected.

A buckle body 419 of the buckle assembly 400 comprises a flat plate, aslider guiding plate 419 k extending in a spaced, parallel relationshipwith respect to the flat plate, and a post 419 j maintaining the flatplate and the slider guiding plate 419 k in such a spaced relationship.The slider guiding plate 419 k is provided with a pair of longitudinalfirst guideways 417 c and a pair of longitudinal second guideways 417 c′guiding the sliding motions of the first and second sliders 417 and 417′between their first position and second positions, respectively.

A first slider 417 comprises a pair of first leg portions 417 e slidablealong the first guideways 417 c with each of the first leg portionsinserted therein. A second slider 417′ comprises a pair of second legportions 417 e′ along the slidable second guideways 417 c′ with each ofthe second leg portions inserted therein.

First and second strap-pressing pieces 417 b and 417 b′ are separatelyformed from the first and second sliders 417 and 417′ and are coupled tothe first and second leg portions 417 e and 417 e′ of the first andsecond sliders 417, 417′ inserted into respective first and secondguideways 417 c and 417 c′.

Each of the first and second slider 417 and 417′ slides along respectivefirst and second guideways 417 c and 417 c′ between a first position anda second position, respectively. When the first and second sliders 417and 417′ are in their first positions, their first and secondstrap-pressing pieces 417 b and 417 b′ press the straps 415 and 415′against the first and second strap-supporting portions 419 a and 419 a′and fix the length of the straps, respectively.

Fifth Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21; a swimming goggle having a buckle assembly500 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown ina perspective view and an exploded perspective view, respectively.

According to this embodiment, a strap-supporting portion 519 a is formedon an outer side end of a lens part 511. On an outer side portion of thelens part 511, a post 519 b for sliding along an elongated guiding slot517 c of a slider 517 is provided. From an end of the guiding slot 517c, an integrally formed band pressing piece 517 b extends downwardly andis adapted to press the strap 515 wrapped around the band supportingportion 519 a against the strap-supporting portion 519 a. A lens frame518 is adapted to be snap fitted on each lens part 511. A slider 517 isplaced between the lens frame 518 and an outside surface of the lenspart 511.

The above description clearly shows the advantages of the presentinvention. The advantageous effects are the simplicity and easiness ofthe tightening and loosening operations. Moreover, the considerablesimplicity of the parts comprising the buckle assembly contributes tooperational reliability and extended life, as well as simplicity for thebuckle assembly itself. The parts comprising the buckle assembly may allbe manufactured as molded plastic parts made of a durable material,generally little affected by influences of external factors such aschlorine, salt water and the like. However, the materials used tofabricate the buckle assembly may also be of other types, depending onthe field of use. Such alternate materials are considered within thescope and spirit of the present disclosure.

From the foregoing, it is also appreciated that the buckle assembliesare not confined to be used with any particular types of straps. Rather,specific materials for particular purposes can be used for the straps.By way of example, an elastic strap was shown.

In addition, the buckle assemblies of the present invention do not haveexcessive space or volume requirements and can be advantageously used inan article such as a swimming goggle having limited space for buckleassembly attachment. A buckle assembly according to the presentinvention can be fabricated of a size at least equal to or slightlysmaller than usual buckle assemblies.

Although the buckle assembly of the present invention is described foruse in combination with a swimming goggle, its use is not limitedthereto, and may be provided on any article in combination with anystrap which has to be repeatedly tightened and loosened.

The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments describedand illustrated herein and may be greatly varied especially with regardto construction without departing from the guiding principles disclosedabove and claimed below.

What is claimed is:
 1. A buckle assembly for use with aheadgearcomprising: a buckle body having a strap-supporting portion around whichan elastic strap is wrapped, said strap having a width and a pluralityof ridges parallel to said width; a slider including a strap-pressingpiece for pressing said strap against said strap-supporting portion,said slider being slidable between a first position where movement ofsaid plurality of ridges through a space between said strap pressingpiece and said strap-supporting portion is blocked by saidstrap-pressing piece, and a second position where the movement of saidplurality of ridges through said space is allowed; and wherein one ofsaid plurality of ridges engages with said strap-pressing piece to movesaid slider to said second position when said strap is pulled and asecond of said plurality of ridges is engaged with said strap-pressingpiece to move said slider to said first position when said strap isreleased.
 2. A swimming goggle comprising: a lens assembly having a pairof lens parts and a pair of lens frames, said pair of lens frames beingconnected to a respective one of said pair of lens parts; a buckleassembly as defined in claim 1 connecting said lens assembly and saidelastic strap; means for fastening said pairs of lens frames formed onan outer side portion of each of said pair of lens parts; said bucklebody further comprising a first guide section longitudinally extendingalong a center line on an upper surface thereof, a pair of second guidesections extending parallel to and on both sides of said first guidesection, a first stopper formed on one end of said pairs of second guidesections to define said first position of said slider, and a secondstopper formed on the other end of said pair of second guide sectionsand facing said first stopper formed on the other end of said pair ofsecond guide sections and facing said first stopper to define saidsecond position of said slider; and said slider having a pair of firstsliding elements slidable over said pair of second guide sections and asecond sliding element, said first sliding elements abutting againstsaid first stopper in said first position and abutting against saidsecond stopper in said second position, said second sliding elementslidable over said first guide section.
 3. A swimming goggle comprising:a lens assembly having a pair of lens parts and a pair of lens frames,each of said pair of lens frames being connected to a respective one ofsaid pair of lens parts; a buckle assembly as defined in claim 1connecting said lens assembly and said elastic strap; means forfastening said pair of lens frame and said buckle body, formed on anouter side portion of each said pair of lens parts; said lens framehaving a pair of longitudinal guideways formed on an outer side portionthereof for guiding the sliding motion of said slider between said firstposition and said second position; and said slider having a pair of legportions slidable along said guideways with each leg portion insertedtherein.
 4. The swimming goggle as claimed in claim 3, wherein saidstrap-pressing piece is separately formed from said slider and isconnected to said leg portions of said slider and inserted into saidguideways.
 5. A buckle assembly for use with a headgear comprising: abuckle body having a flat plate with a first and a second strapsupporting portion around which first and second elastic straps arerespectively wrapped, on a respective first and second side thereof,each of said first and second straps having a width and a plurality ofridges parallel to said width; a first slider having a firststrap-pressing piece for pressing said first elastic strap against saidfirst strap-supporting portion, said first slider being slidable betweena first position where movement of said plurality of ridges of saidfirst elastic strap through a first space between said first strappressing piece and said first strap-supporting portion is blocked bysaid first strap-pressing piece, and a second position where movement ofsaid plurality of ridges of said first elastic strap through said firstspace is allowed; a second slider having a second strap-pressing piecefor pressing said second elastic strap against said secondstrap-supporting position, said second slider being slidable betweensaid first position where movement of said plurality of ridges of saidsecond elastic strap through a second space between said secondstrap-pressing piece and said second strap-supporting portion is blockedby said second strap-pressing piece, and a second position wheremovement of said plurality of ridges of said second elastic strapthrough said second space is allowed; and wherein said first strap isstretched and simultaneously one of said plurality of ridges of firstelastic strap engages said first strap-pressing piece to move said firstslider to its second position when said first elastic strap is pulled,and said first strap contracts and simultaneously a second one of saidplurality of ridges of said first elastic strap engages said firststrap-pressing piece to move said first slider to its first position,when said first elastic strap is released; and wherein said second strapis stretched and simultaneously said one of said plurality of ridges ofsaid second elastic strap engages said second strap-pressing piece tomove said second slider to its second position when said second elasticstrap is pulled, and said second strap contracts and said second of saidplurality of said ridges of said second elastic strap engages saidsecond strap-pressing piece to move said second slider to its firstposition when said second elastic strap is released.
 6. A swimminggoggle comprising: a lens assembly having a pair of lens parts and apair of lens frames, said pair of lens parts being connected to arespective one of said pair of lens frames; each of said two strapsbeing connected to an end of said respective one of said pair of lensparts; a buckle assembly as defined in claim 5 to which said two strapsare connected; said buckle body having a guide section longitudinallyextending along a center line on an upper surface of said flat plate, apair of first stoppers protruded from a respective first and second sideat one end of said guide section and having a height higher than that ofsaid guide section, and a second stopper protruded from the other end ofsaid guide section; said first slider having a longitudinally extendingbody with a surface facing said guide section of said buckle body, afirst transverse extension being provided on one end of said body toabut against said second stopper in its first position and against saidfirst stopper in its second position, and a second transverse extensionbeing provided on the other end of said body to abut against said firststopper in its first position; said second slider being in the form of agenerally rectangular frame composed of four frame elements, said fourframe elements being a pair of longitudinal frame elements and a pair oftransverse frame elements, said pair of longitudinal frame elementshaving opposing surfaces for supporting both ends of said firstextension of said first slider, one of said pair of transverse frameelements having a cut-out portion dimensioned to allow the passage ofthe body of said first slider while preventing the passage of said firstextension therethrough; and a slider cover slidably retaining said firstand second sliders against said buckle body.
 7. A swimming gogglecomprising: a lens assembly having a pair of lens parts and a pair oflens frames, said pair of lens frames being connected to a respectiveone of said pair of lens parts; two elastic straps, each of said twostraps being connected to an end of said respective one of said pair oflens parts and having a plurality of width-wise ridges; a buckleassembly as defined in claim 5 to which said two straps are connected;said buckle body having a slider guiding plate extending in a spaced,parallel relationship with respect to a flat plate of the buckle bodyand a post maintaining said flat plate and said slider guiding plate ina spaced relationship, said slider guiding plate being provided with apair of longitudinal first guideways and a pair of longitudinal secondguideways guiding the sliding motions of said first and second slidersbetween their first position and second positions, respectively; saidfirst slider having a pair of first leg portions slidable along saidfirst guideways with each of said first leg portions inserted therein;and said second slider having a pair of second leg portions slidablealong said second guideways with each of said second leg portionsinserted therein.
 8. The swimming goggle as claimed in claim 7, whereinsaid first strap-pressing piece is separately formed from said firstslider, and is connected to said first leg portions of said first sliderinserted into said first guideways; and said second strap-pressing pieceis separately formed from said second slider, and is connected to saidsecond leg portions of said second slider inserted into said secondguideways.